Research Articles (Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences)
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Short-term effects of tillage systems, fertilisation, and cropping patterns on soil chemical properties and maize yields in a loamy sand soil in Southern Mozambique
(MDPI, 2022)Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) agriculture is characterized by dependence on erratic rainfall, inadequate conservation practices, and a decline in soil fertility resulting in low crop productivity. Therefore, conservation ... -
Fire, herbivores, and vegetation type shape soil biochemistry in sodic patches of a semi-arid Savanna ecosystem
(MDPI, 2022)In the Kruger National Park (KNP), the lower slopes of catenas have open patches referred to as sodic patches. Fire and herbivores are dominant mediators of vegetation in sodic patches. The effect of fire and herbivores ... -
Soil organic matter storage in irrigated Tsitsikamma dairy farms with minimum tilled pasture mixtures: case studies
(MDPI, 2022)In recent years, pasture production changed from conventional tilled single pastures to minimum tilled mixed pastures in the Tsitsikamma region, South Africa. However, storage of soil organic matter (SOM) under minimum ... -
Characterisation and effects of different levels of water stress at different growth stages in malt barley under water-limited conditions
(MDPI, 2022)Malt barley is typically grown in dryland conditions in South Africa. It is an important grain after wheat, but little is known about its water requirements and, most importantly, how it responds to water stress. Determining ... -
Climate change impacts on temperature and chill unit trends for apple (malus domestic) production in Ceres, South Africa
(MDPI, 2021)Climate is an essential part of crop production, determining the suitability of a given region for deciduous fruit products such as apples (Malus domestica). It influences the yield and quality of fruits. There is strong ... -
Impacts of soil information on process-based hydrological modelling in the Upper Goukou Catchment, South Africa
(MDPI, 2022)Although soils form an integral part of landscape hydrological processes, the importance of soil information in hydrological modelling is often neglected. This study investigated the impact of soil information on streamflow ... -
Soil fertilization synergistically enhances the impact of pollination services in increasing seed yield of sunflower under dryland conditions
(Cambridge University Press, 2021)To exploit the potential of ecological intensification during sunflower cropping, it is crucial to understand the potential synergies between crop management and ecosystem services. We therefore examined the effect of ... -
Influence of clay mineral amendments characteristics on heavy metals uptake in vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides L. Roberty) and Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L. Czern)
(MDPI, 2022)Phytoremediation is limited when heavy metals reduce soil quality and, subsequently, inhibit plant growth. In this study, we evaluated the use of attapulgite and bentonite as amendments in soil contaminated with multiple ... -
High-density grazing in southern Africa: inspiration by nature leads to conservation?
(Sage, 2022)High-density grazing is a form of rangeland management aiming to strategically mimic the ways grasslands are utilized by grazers in natural situations. It aims to regenerate grasslands by improving soil and vegetation ... -
Using hydropedological characteristics to improve modelling accuracy in Afromontane catchments
(Elsevier, 2022)Study region: Three Afromontane catchments in the Cathedral Peak experimental research site, within the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg escarpment, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Study focus: Gaining insight into the hydropedological ...